Evaluating The Off-Season, Part 2

The Ducks are often the paper champions of the off-season, and I’m not sure this year is any different. The big-name firepower that has been scattered through Long Island’s roster in the past isn’t there just yet, and perhaps it never will be. They proved they don’t need an Indy ball All-Star team of sorts to win last season, even when virtually no one expected them to, and that perhaps the best acquisitions are ones that fly under the radar.

Of the 14 players the Ducks have signed so far this season, nine are returning members from last year’s Atlantic League Championship team. Only one, Lew Ford, has previous big league time, and he’s back as a player/coach this year.

But the biggest strength appears to be the pitching so far. Somerset’s potent offense was held to just a .239 batting average in the postseason, and that was largely due to the five games in which they faced the Ducks. Long Island is bringing back quality bullpen stalwarts Eric Niesen, Josh Lansford and Jared Lansford while also having talented starters Bobby Blevins, Shaun Garceau and Playoff MVP John Brownell come back to the rotation for another year.

Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

The Blue Crabs have signed more players than any other team so far this off-season, with 15 roster spots having already been filled. Of those players, 11 were on the team last year, with the most notable returnees being team home-run leader Cyle Hankerd and closer Jim Ed Warden.

If anything, the biggest addition appears to be in the manager’s office, with Lance Burkhart taking over for Pat Osborn after the latter accepted a job in the Yankees organization. Of the four new players, only one is new to the league. Righty reliever Anthony Slama, who pitched for the Twins in the big leagues during the 2010 and 2011 seasons, appeared in 13 games for York last season and is likely the team’s biggest addition from last year to date.

Sugar Land Skeeters

After setting an Atlantic League record with 95 wins last season, the Skeeters have been the quietest ballclub in the eight-team circuit with one very notable exception. But, Tracy McGrady aside — and he’s only received an invitation to spring training and not an official contract — there’s not much to say. Sugar Land has added a league-low ten players, including McGrady, but are set in an area where many teams have yet to address a need.

Koby Clemens will be back behind the plate for the Skeeters this season. Sugar Land led the league in home runs with 126 blasts last year, and Clemens had more than any other Skeeter with 21. However, he also hit just .219 along the way. Outside of Clemens, only two other position players have been signed. Clint Everts, who pitched well in a variety of roles, and David Pauley highlight the returning pitchers.

York Revolution

York has made the most noticeable transactions within the league this season, acquiring former big league infielder Wilson Valdez from Camden and adding Sean Smith in a deal with Southern Maryland. Those players join a well-rounded group of those signed so far, including returnees Corey Thurman and Ofilio Castro.

However, with catching being a commodity in the league as much as it’s ever been, the return of everyday backstop Salvador Paniagua stands out most. Paniagua earned a well-deserved All-Star Game nod last year, with his .279 batting average serving as the best for any regular catcher in the league. As is the case with most catchers in the league, there is a knock on his game; he threw out just 12 percent of attempted basestealers last season.

Mike Ashmore, mashmore98 AT gmail.com

About Mike Ashmore

A lifelong resident of the Three Bridges section of Readington, Mike Ashmore is a 2001 graduate of Hunterdon Central Regional High School who began his career covering professional sports two years later. Since then, he's covered countless other teams and events ranging from the Stanley Cup Final to the UFC as a freelancer working in the area. Mike will add to his over 450 games of experience covering the Somerset Patriots by finishing out the season as MyCentralJersey.com's beat writer for the team.

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About the Author

Mike AshmoreA lifelong resident of the Three Bridges section of Readington, Mike Ashmore is a 2001 graduate of Hunterdon Central Regional High School who began his career covering professional sports two years later. Since then, he's covered countless other teams and events ranging from the Stanley Cup Final to the UFC as a freelancer working in the area. Mike will add to his over 450 games of experience covering the Somerset Patriots by finishing out the season as MyCentralJersey.com's beat writer for the team.E-mail Mike

Ryan DunleavyRyan Dunleavy has covered Rutgers athletics for more than a decade, dating back to his days as a student at his alma mater. He became New Jersey Press Media’s Rutgers women’s basketball beat writer in 2009 and Rutgers football beat writer in 2013. Since joining the staff in 2004, the Morris County native also has covered the NFL, MLB, NBA, the Somerset Patriots and high school sports.E-mail Ryan